In between in verse 5 John describes Jesus as Faithful Witness.
In Revelation 19:13 says about Jesus that His name is Word of God.
John 12:49-50 "For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."
John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
John is seeing and describing Jesus as the faithful witness. Faithful witness to the Word of God, for He, Himself is called the Word of God, Jesus is a faithful witness to who God the Father is...faithful witness to the things he hears, sees and the things that the Father is doing. Jesus is faithful witness to the Father Himself and when he says to Philip: Philip who has seen me has seen the Father for me and the Father are one... What Jesus is saying that He is perfect replica, representation, perfect reflection of who the Father is.
Having this revelation of Jesus as faithful witness, John sees himself in the same light. He identifies himself with Jesus by saying that he too in all of his weakness and brokenness is a witness, witness to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
As we are starting this new year one of the greatest needs and callings to each one of us is to be witnesses to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
I remember one old pastor was saying that if you want God to use you don’t just seat at home go out among the people and you will be used. If you want to see the gifts of the spirit manifested in you and through you don’t just pray about it but as you share the gospel with people outside God will use you in whatever way is needed and he will manifest himself through whatever gift is needed in that moment.
God gives greater revelation and understanding to those who are witnesses of the Word and Jesus Christ.
Not ability but availability is needed to do the will of God
Witness to the Word of God: It is a calling to be truthful to what the Word of God says, to keep it in our heart, to delight in it, to make it our standard of living, to stand upon it and live by it. If we do not delight in the Word of God we will see it as boring and as a command that takes away our freedom. We are called to be witness of the word of God and that doesn’t mean that we should have superior knowledge of the word but it means that what we know to share it. What he has revealed to us already to live by it and share it with other people. Is not about how much we know but is all about being faithful to what we already know and have understanding of.
Witness to the testimony of Jesus: It is a calling to be witnesses to the name of Jesus Christ. Witnesses to who He is, what He is like, witnesses of His heart, His character, His personality, witnesses of what He has done, what He is doing and what He is yet to do. We are called to represent Jesus not ourselves, not our churches, not our nationality, ethnicity etc...We are the image of Jesus to the people all around us!
1 John 4:17 ...because as he is, so are we in this world.
But John doesn't stop only here because at the very beginning of verse 9 he says that he is: "...companion/partner in suffering(tribulations) and in the kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus..."
John is saying that 3 things belong to us and being witness to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ involves partnership with Jesus in 3 things:
1. Partnership in suffering or tribulation...
Do we see our everyday struggles no matter how big or small they might be through the lens of partnership with Jesus that brings joy and glory as we are being transformed more and more into the image of Jesus.
For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. Philippians 1:29
How many of us see the suffering as privilege given to us?
"that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death..." Philippians 3:10
How many of us see our suffering as a way of becoming more like him?
1 Peter 5:10 "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
Suffering lead to restoration, confirmation, strengthening...
James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
How many want that crown of life?
Romans 5:3-4 we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.…
2. Partnership in God's kingdom; His glory...
For we are labourers/co-workers together with God... 1Corinthians 3:9
All throughout the Bible we can see God's desire and plan to work His plans and purposes in partnership with us. Every time we obey God's word and walk in His will, His Kingdom is being manifested in us and through us.
The kingdom is both here and now and there and then.
One day when Jesus returns He will establish His kingdom and He will rule forever and we all will be subject to Him but for us who are already saved and believe in Jesus we are already living in His kingdom and we are representing His kingdom among the other people of the earth.
We are the salt and light in this world. We are the wisdom of God manifested in this world. We are the pillar of truth.
God’s kingdom is made of righteousness, peace and joy.
Righteousness means to be in right standing with God and with people
Peace is the result of righteousness and Joy is characteristic, expression of this two.
3. Partnership in patience endurance...
We are called to patiently endure through our everyday life not with despair, stress or worry but being faithful in prayer, filled with hope and expectation as the day of the Lord's return comes close.
Patient endurance brings reward, receiving what He has promised - Hebrews 10:36.
It builds our character, makes us mature and complete not lacking anything - James 1:4
As we enter into 2017 with new ideas, desires, plans let us consider these things and let us be a faithful witnesses to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ as we walk in partnership with Him in suffering, in His Kingdom and His patient endurance!
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